U.S. stocks tumbled with their biggest losses in three weeks, and Treasury yields rose by 20 basis points as inflation continued to push higher. Each of the major benchmark indexes declined, led by the Nasdaq and the S&P 500, which dropped by more than 5.0%. Crude oil prices rose marginally, the dollar inched higher, while gold prices rose by more than $22.00 per ounce. Last Friday, the latest data showed that the Consumer Price Index rose 8.6% in May from one year earlier, the fastest pace since 1981. Several factors are driving price pressures including the Russia/Ukraine war, which has impacted energy and crude oil prices; supply-chain disruptions; China’s economic lockdown in response to rising COVID cases; and a tight labor market, with demand for workers far outpacing supply, driving wages higher. Demand for travel and other services has surged with the onset of summer and the receding impact of COVID-19, pushing up prices for airline fares, hotels, and dining. Unfortunately, higher prices are cutting into profits for many businesses. Also, in its attempt to temper inflationary pressures, the Federal Reserve is likely to step up measures to tighten spending by raising interest rates further increasing the cost of borrowing and doing business. For consumers in general and investors in particular, higher prices are likely to impact consumer spending and slow economic activity.
Eye on the Week Ahead
The Federal Open Market Committee meets this week. It is expected that the federal funds rate will be increased 50 basis points to 1.25%-1.50%. While indicators in April appeared to show inflation was slowing, the latest data in May has price increases accelerating at a faster pace.
Data sources: Economic: Based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (unemployment, inflation); U.S. Department of Commerce (GDP, corporate profits, retail sales, housing); S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index (home prices); Institute for Supply Management (manufacturing/services). Performance: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI, Cushing, OK); www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates). News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e., wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Forecasts are based on current conditions, subject to change, and may not come to pass. U.S. Treasury securities are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. The principal value of Treasury securities and other bonds fluctuates with market conditions. Bonds are subject to inflation, interest-rate, and credit risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices typically fall. A bond sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a price-weighted index composed of 30 widely traded blue-chip U.S. common stocks. The S&P 500 is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 largest, publicly traded companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-value weighted index of all common stocks listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. The Russell 2000 is a market-cap weighted index composed of 2,000 U.S. small-cap common stocks. The Global Dow is an equally weighted index of 150 widely traded blue-chip common stocks worldwide. The U.S. Dollar Index is a geometrically weighted index of the value of the U.S. dollar relative to six foreign currencies. Market indexes listed are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment.
